If you are traveling to Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region, the Karakoram Highway is a must-see destination! Often regarded as the “Eight Wonder of the World”, this long stretch of highway links China with Pakistan, cuts through snowcapped mountains and features diverse cultures along the way. It’s a trip that you’ll never forget.

For travelers looking to adventure up the Karakoram Highway, look no further than this guide – just one part of the entire FarWestChina guide on Xinjiang – for some initial tips to start planning your travel itinerary. In order to help you plan, I’ve organized the information below into sections you can skip to as well as a video to provide some good inspiration.

As you go through this guide, keep in mind that all of this information – and so much more – is included in the FarWestChina Xinjiang Travel Guide. It’s the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide on China’s western region and I’m so confident you’ll love it that I guarantee your money back if you’re not satisfied :)

Where should I stop on the Karakoram Highway?

While driving or biking along the Karakoram Highway, there are a number of different places to stop. Some are worth a long visit while others aren’t. Here are my recommendations.

#1 Opal or 乌帕尔

Opal is a small town you will reach a little over an hour after leaving Kashgar. In terms of kilometers it’s not that far, but because they’ve imposed these ridiculously slow speed limits, it seems to take forever!

Think of Opal as your run of the mill rest stop where you can stretch your legs, use the bathroom and restock on snacks and fruit. If you are hungry, there are a number of restaurants in town where you can chow down on Uyghur polo or Laghman.

In addition, Opal is home to the Mahmud al-Kashgari tomb, a revered Uyghur scholar from the 11th century. The tomb and mausoleum aren’t incredibly impressive in my opinion, but it the eyes of Uyghur history and culture, it is important.

#2 Red Mountain or “Oytagh Canyon”

Not far from Opal are the red mountains of Oytagh Canyon, the first major scenic spot along the Karakoram Highway. The surrounding mountains in this area all display a red tint and are great for taking photos. If you were to head west into the valley, you would eventually hit the Oytagh Glacier Park (奥依塔格冰川公园) that boasts more incredible scenery, but unfortunately this place has been closed since 2014 (stupid political reasons).

Until it reopens, you can budget a good fifteen minutes here for pictures and another bathroom break, then move on.

#3 White Sand Lake or 白沙湖

White Sand Lake, known as 白沙湖 in Chinese, is a massive water reservoir surrounded by sand dune mountains. The juxtaposition of sand dunes and a beautiful, blue lake make for some fun pictures to show people back at home.

Stopping here for a decent amount of time is well worth it to take in the beauty of the teal colored water and dunes in the distance. White Sand Lake is also a good spot for souvenir shopping as Kyrgyz traders sell local trinkets – mostly stones – to travelers.

*Note*: Many travelers have reported that they’ve been able to stay in a yurt near White Sands Lake (it’s currently forbidden at Karakul Lake). If this is possible, it’s one of the few stops between Kasghar and Tashkorgan where travelers can stay the night.

#4 Karakul Lake or 卡拉库里湖

Surrounded on all sides by snowcapped mountains, Karakul Lake is the crown jewel of sights to see on the Karakoram Highway. Towering above the lake is Muztagh Mountain, which translates from Uyghur as “Father of Ice Mountains”. The best time to experience the scenery of Karakul Lake is at sunset and sunrise as the sun reflects off the glacier topping Muztagh Mountain.

It used to be possible to stay the night in the Kyrgyz yurts on the west side of the lake, but since 2017 that has no longer been allowed. You can arrange for a meal in a local yurt but for the time being that’s all that’s allowed.

#5 Subash Pass or 苏巴什

At an elevation of 13,400 feet, Subash Pass is the highest point in elevation on the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway. The pass is marked by signs and has a platform built for taking photos. At this point you might be starting to feel a bit of a headache or nausia, so be careful about altitude sickness

Take a few minutes to stop here and enjoy feelings of having conquered the altitude of the Karakoram Highway while enjoying some additional views of Muztagh Mountain and the valley below.

There’s a security checkpoint at this pass where you’ll need to show your passport. In addition, you’ll see a massive structure that looks like some sort of monument. It’s actually a gate that’s been under construction for years and the path behind it leads toward the mountain to one of the massive glaciers. If you have an off-road vehicle, it’s possible to drive right up to the glacier!

#6 Taheman Grasslands or 塔合曼

About an hour up the highway from Karakul Lake are the Taheman Grasslands. Although at this point you may start feeling antsy to get to Tashkurgan, be sure to have your driver stop at this location. The view of the rivers sprawling across the green grassland valley is nothing short of mesmerizing and a top highlight on the Karakoram Highway.

Side Note: There’s a dirt path that curves along the north and east sides of the grasslands (the road follows the west side). This is a great place to cycle if you have the time!

#7 Tashkurgan or 塔什库尔干

Despite being a small town, there is plenty to enjoy in Tashkurgan. Most alluring to tourists is the Stone Fortress, which protected passing caravans on the ancient Silk Road as far back as 2,000 years ago.

Apart from the Stone Fortress, the Golden Grasslands are a must see in Tashkurgan. Wooden pathways have also been put in place allowing you to walk above the marshy landscape.

#8 Khunjerab Pass

This is the last stop on the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway. While you will not be able to journey up to the actual border between China and Pakistan unless you have a valid Pakistani visa, making it all the way to the border checkpoint provides great views into Pakistan and a sense of gratification having made it to the edge of China.

How Much Time Should I Budget?

You should budget at least three days if you want to thoroughly see everything along the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway. Anything over five days may be over stretching your trip unless you plan on trekking around Muztaghata Mountain (which requires a special permit in Kashgar) or cycling up the highway. It’s also fun to spend at least half a day wandering around Tashkorgan.

If time is a limiting factor for you, you can arrange for a one to two day trip up to Karakul Lake. While your experience will be brief, you will still find the trip very rewarding and worthwhile.

How can I travel the Karakoram Highway?

There are a number of different ways that you can organize your trip up and down the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway.

1. Travel with a travel agency

Booking with a travel agency like Old Road Tours is the easiest way to travel the Karakoram Highway. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that your entire itinerary will be arranged for you and all permits arranged in advance.

You also have the option to customize your trip well beyond simply traveling up and down the Karakoram Highway by car. Old Road Tours for example can arrange for you to trek from Karakul Lake to various Kyrgyz villages along the slopes of Muztag Mountain. In addition, a travel agency can arrange local activities for you that are generally unavailable to independent travelers. Depending on the tour, many of your meals may also be included within the fee.

Yet all this comes at a hefty price. While prices depend on your itinerary and number of travelers in your group, you can anticipate paying several thousand RMB at a minimum. While expensive, you pay for both a premium service and experience with this option.

2. Hire a private driver

While you will not have all the conveniences and services of a travel agency, hiring your own private driver is another great and more affordable way to travel up the Karakoram Highway. Like traveling with a travel agency, hiring your own driver gives you plenty of flexibility in your trip. You can choose how many days you would like to budget for your trip as well as choose when to stop along the way.

You can also have your hostel do all the heavy legwork for you in scheduling a driver for the journey. Simply let them know in-advance the days you would like to travel up the Karakoram Highway and they will not only find you a driver but also pair you up with other travelers with similar travel plans. Alternatively you can go to the city bus station (ke yun zhan / 客运站) where there are drivers that can drive you to Tashkurgan. If you are a skilled negotiator, you should be able to agree on a fair price for your trip at the bus station.

Cost of the entire trip depends on how many people will be traveling with you and the length of your trip. The more passengers that sign up for each trip will reduce the price you pay. Generally for this option, you can plan on budgeting 400 RMB to 800 RMB. This may or may not include housing and some meals. Before agreeing on a price make sure you are fully aware of what is and is not included in the fee.

3. Take the bus

If you want to experience the Karakoram Highway but are under a tight budget, taking the bus from Kashgar to Tashkurgan is a good option. It’s also a good choice if you want to get to Tashkurgan and back within two days.

The bus leaves the Kashgar city bus station (ke yun zhan / 客运站) at 9:30 am and arrives at Tashkurgan six hours later depending on traffic and road conditions. From Tashkurgan a bus leaves at 8:00 am and again at 3:00 pm. Tickets are 51 RMB one way.

While you save money and can experience the Karakoram Highway and see Tashkurgan on a rushed timeframe by taking the bus, there are also some downsides to consider. With the bus you lack the flexibility to stop at scenic areas. There is also no guarantee that the bus will stop at Karakul Lake and may end up driving past it. If you want to take the gamble it’s best to stop at Karakul on your way back to Kashgar from Tashkurgan. When taking the 8am bus, you can anticipate arriving at Karakul around 11am. From there you can try your luck and try to catch the 3pm bus on its way to Kashgar.

Where can I sleep along the Karakoram Highway?

If you plan to spend the night along the Karakoram Highway in China, the only hotels you’ll find that accept foreigners are located in the town of Tashkorgan.

Tashkurgan Accommodation

Most travelers find themselves stopping in the quaint town of Tashkorgan for a night or two. If this is you, there are two options that I recommend:

K2 Youth Hostel – Located within walking distance of the Stone Town and the Golden Marsh, this comfortable hostel has 4 bed and 8 bed dorms along with private twin rooms available. It also features a large communal area with a pool table and bar.

Crown Inn Hotel: At one point this used to be one of the “expensive” hotels in Tashkorgan, but with the rise in competition, the rates are now quite good. The rooms are comfortable and the breakfast (with real coffee!) is exceptional.

Camping out along the road

While camping in China is technically illegal for foreigners, it’s a generally accepted practice as long as you’re staying out of sight. If you pitch a tent next to Karakul Lake, chances are the locals or police will drop by to let you know that you must leave. In some cases, such as in the photo you see below, travelers have been able to secure permissions beforehand to camp at the lake, but these permissions are hard to get and can sometimes be expensive.

Unfortunately, aside from the lake, there aren’t that many great places to pitch a tent along the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway. You’ll probably have to hike in a good ways and even then there aren’t that many flat, grassy areas.

Security on the Karakoram Highway

Local police occasionally require foreigners traveling up the Karakoram to acquire a permit and if you plan on doing any trekking at Muztagata Mountain an additional payment for an environmental protection fee. As of September 2017, a permit from a travel agency has started to be required of some travelers to Tashkorgan.

As the law can easily and quickly change, it is recommended that you double-check before your trip whether you need a permit or not. In the event that you do need to apply for a permit, you can work with a travel agency or hostel to do so. Be sure to also keep your passport on you during your trip as you will need to use it to register with the authorities at a police checkpoint along the way. Registering takes as little as five minutes.

Is it safe to travel up the Karakoram Highway?

You can rest easy knowing that traveling on the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway from Kashgar to Tashkurgan is quite safe. However there is potential for small dangers on the road such as falling rocks, mudslides, and low visibility in the event of heavy rain.

As of 2017, a new highway has been opened that raises above many of the problems that once plagued the highway. That doesn’t mean you won’t run into delays, but they will (hopefully) be less often.

Fortunately the Chinese government is quick to respond to poor road conditions and deploys construction personnel and hazard markers to alert drivers in the event of any adverse road conditions. With that said, it is best to discuss with whomever will be leading your trip on how they will prioritize your safety in the event of inclement weather.

When should I plan my trip?

The Karakoram Highway is open to traffic from May 1st to December 31st giving you a broad timeframe to plan your trip. Not being a fan of the cold, I recommend traveling in the warmer summer months of June through early September as temperatures along the highway can get pretty low in the evening.

Yet the rain season is another factor to consider as it hits its peak in July and August. Heavy rains can lead to considerable delays in your trip through slower traffic, lorries getting stuck in mud or even sections of the highway being washed away. No matter what time of year you plan to travel up the Karakoram Highway, budgeting flexibility into your itinerary to account for abrupt changes in weather is recommended.

Conclusion | Traveling China’s Karakoram Highway

The bottom line is this: if you’re in Kashgar and you have the extra time available, a trip up China’s side of the Karakoram Highway is an absolute must. The scenery is unbelievable and the various ethnic groups (Kyrgyz, Uyghur and Tajik) keep things quite interesting all along the way. It’s a trip you won’t ever regret making!

DON’T FORGET: Grab a copy of the FarWestChina Xinjiang Travel Guide for your journey in and around Xinjiang. It’s an amazing resource that goes far beyond what you’ll find in Lonely Planet or other travel guides.

How was your trip up the Karakoram Highway? Do you have any additional thoughts on anything else that should be covered here? If so, please leave a comment below.

About Josh Summers

Josh is a writer, musician and entrepreneur who currently resides in Urumqi, capital of China's western province of Xinjiang. He has been traveling and writing about this region since 2006 and has no plans to stop in the near future.

It was quite a useful read, Josh! Though, I read that this time the KKH will be closing up at the end of November and opening up in March, 2018. Do you have any information regarding this? Since I am planning my trip next year and I can’t decide the exact time around which I should make the journey based on this.
Any information shall be appreciated.
Cheers! :)

The closing and opening dates of the KKH aren’t set in stone – it all depends on the weather usually. I would recommend you wait until at least mid-April before making such a trip because it get REALLY cold during the winter!

Hi Pedro! You can book when you arrive, but I recommend you try to set it up beforehand. The company I use in Kashgar is Old Road Tours. If you’re doing the KKH, you should definitely spend some time around Kashgar and it’s worth spending a bit of money for a local, English-speaking guide to give you context to what you’re seeing. It’s pretty amazing!

Hey Josh ! I’m planning to travel around Xinjiang in mid April and one of the places I want to visit is KKH. I was just wondering if the Highway from Kashgar to Tahkorgan wil be open to traffic around April 20? I read a lot about the closing time from December 31 till May 1 on many websites, but I’m not sure if it refers only to the border pass with Pakistan or the whole KKH. Thanks for the help, cheers :))

Hey Callum, it shouldn’t be a lengthy process. You can either hire a personal driver through a place like Old Road Tours (which I recommend because you have the option to ask him to stop at various places to take pictures) or you can hire a shared vehicle or bus at the bus station (which is cheaper but won’t stop along the way).

Hey Aaron! There is no permit needed to enter Tashkurgan, but you will need an official driver. You can’t just hire a guy off the street (and they will know that), you’ll need to have a driver that has the permissions to go up to Tashkorgan. Also, you’ll probably want to have hotel/hostel reservations before you go. They might ask you for that at the checkpoint.

Hi josh. My wife is chinese. We are coming to urumuqi middle of june. I would like to listen to traditional music on original instruments in urumuqi or later in yili. Do you have any suggestions? Regards peter

Hi Peter, sounds great! I suggest one of the shows that can be seen in the Urumqi bazaar. You can find a lot more information in the FarWestChina Xinjiang travel guide. It has a whole chapter both on Urumqi and Yili that you’ll find incredibly useful.

1. I have a Chinese driving licence
2. I want to drive from Kashgar to Tashkurgan
3. Is it possible for me to rent a car + drive to Tashkurgan ALONE (with no guide/operator) etc? If not, why exactly not?

Thank you so much. I only have one day (tomorrow) so any reply would be amazing! Thank you!

Hmm…that’s a good question. My initial thought is no, but in China there’s always a way. You won’t be able to just rent any car to do it. Your best bet is going to be to rent a car through a travel agency and have them arrange all the paperwork. That should do the trick!

Hi Josh! Just found your page and it’s amazing. I live in Suzhou, and I’ve already driven to YunNan and back, next I want to drive to Kasghar and the KKH. Aside from the usual preparations, do you know if there’s anything which needs to be done in advance with the authorities? Permit-wise and such? Cheers!